To get pearls, one must dive deep …

Monthly Archives: May 2012

There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house. “We shall get to know one another better that way,” he said, “and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished.” The Fuller thanked him, but replied, “I couldn’t think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal.” (Reference: Aesop’s Fables)

The Bible informs us that light can have no communion with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14). In other words, holiness can have no communion with sin or that Christ Jesus can have no concord with the devil. We cannot be unequally yoked in our lives. Let us learn to recognize that as the sanctified blood-bought saints of God, we can have nothing to do with evil (sin), for in doing so, we darken our washed lives and place ourselves into the judgment of God, for there remains no more sacrifice for our sins, if we continue to willfully sin, after having received the knowledge of Salvation, found in Christ Jesus alone.(Hebrews 10:26)

Ephesians 5:7-11 (KJV)7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (KJV)14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

An Old Crab said to her son, “Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight.”
The Young Crab replied, “Show me how, dear mother, and I’ll follow your example.”
The Old Crab tried, but tried in vain, and then saw how foolish she had been to find fault with her child.
EXAMPLE IS BETTER THAN PRECEPT. (Reference: Aesop’s Fables)

Jesus said, look not at the speck in your brother’s eye when you have a log in yours (Matthew 7:3). We are to be an example; an example in word, in conversation (conduct), in charity (love), in spirit, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV)12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

A Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been flayed and thrown aside, so it put it on over its own pelt and strolled down among the sheep. The Lamb that belonged to the sheep, whose skin the Wolf was wearing, began to follow the Wolf in the Sheep’s clothing; so, leading the Lamb a little apart, he soon made a meal off her, and for some time he succeeded in deceiving the sheep, and enjoying hearty meals. “APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE” (Reference: Aesop’s Fables).

The Bible counsels us to be aware and beware of false prophets in our midst. Jesus called these false prophets, ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). Unfortunately, many a times, many of us get carried away by the gifts that people have, instead of recognizing them for their fruits (Matthew 7:16). Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit of God, will have the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance evident and expressed in and through their life (Galatians 5:22) and we are to try each spirit to see if it is from God and believe not every spirit, because many false prophets have come into this world (1 John 4:1). And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is God who had come in the flesh is the spirit of the antichrist and that includes any people/groups that may seem like they are Christian (e.g., Jehovah’s witness), but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Appearances that claimed not Jesus is the Christ is deceptive.

Matthew 7:15-17 (KJV)15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

1 John 4:1-3 (KJV)1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Memorial day is celebrated in the United States, commemorating men and women who gave their lives while in military service. Soldiers are not forgotten on this day and they are honored.

The Soldier of all soldiers and the Champion of all champions, Jesus Christ, who vanquished even death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57), ought not to be forgotten and he ought to be honored, and the Bible teaches us not to forget God our Creator in the days of our youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1) and to not leave our first love (Jesus Christ) (Revelation 2:4), who first loved us (1 John 4:19), while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), but to remember and return and do the first works (Revelation 2:5). Let us not forget; Let us remember and repent of our ways and return to him, says God.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (KJV)55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 2:4-5 (KJV)4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

IT happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more. “BEWARE LEST YOU LOSE THE SUBSTANCE BY GRASPING AT THE SHADOW.” (Reference: Aesop’s Fables)

The Bible counsels us to be aware (take heed) and beware of greed (or covetousness) (Luke 12:15) and instructs us to be content in whatever state we are (Philippians 4:11). Unfortunately, the norm with the world is to seek out for more than what one needs and the creed for greed is the four letter word — more. Lucifer was puffed up with pride and coveted to be above God. Even though God had created him to be perfect in beauty and full of wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12), he wanted more and tried to grasp God’s position, thereby losing the position that he possessed. Let us learn to be content with ourselves as God has made us and with what God has given us, lest we grasp after the ephemeral shadows of this world and lose our substance.

Luke 12:15 (KJV)15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Philippians 4:11-13 (KJV)11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

A FOX had by some means got into the store-room of a theatre. Suddenly he observed a face glaring down on him and began to be very frightened; but looking more closely he found it was only a Mask such as actors use to put over their face. “Ah,” said the Fox, “you look very fine; it is a pity you have not got any brains.” OUTSIDE SHOW IS A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR INNER WORTH. (Reference: Aesop’s Fables)

Many a times, we attempt to put on a front intending to impress others and hide our real selves behind a mask but the Bible teaches us that it is what is inside that matters – the matters of the heart – not outward appearances. God does not look at outward appearances because an outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth (1 Samuel 16:7)

1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

IT happened that a Countryman was sowing some hemp seeds in a field where a Swallow and some other birds were hopping about picking up their food. “Beware of that man,” quoth the Swallow. “Why, what is he doing?” said the others. “That is hemp seed he is sowing; be careful to pick up every one of the seeds, or else you will repent it.” The birds paid no heed to the Swallow’s words, and by and by the hemp grew up and was made into cord, and of the cords nets were made, and many a bird that had despised the Swallow’s advice was caught in nets made out of that very hemp. “What did I tell you?” said the Swallow. “DESTROY THE SEED OF EVIL, OR IT WILL GROW UP TO YOUR RUIN.” (Reference: Aesop’s Fables)

The Bible counsels us to not let sin reign over our mortal bodies, lest we obey its desires. Neither are we to yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but we must yield ourselves to God as those who are alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin desires to have dominion over us (Romans 6:12-14). Sin lies at the door and desires to control us and we must subdue it and rule over it (Genesis 4:7), otherwise when desire has been conceived, it brings forth sin, and when sin it is allowed to grow brings forth death (James 1:15). Destroy the seed of evil or it will grow up to our ruin; to death.

James 1:12-15 (KJV)12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.